1912 Season
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| Leadership | Joseph W. Dusenbury Will J. Dusenbury |
|---|---|
| Stock Company | Stubbs-Mackay Players |
| Band(s) | J. Wylie Powers Band |
The Olentangy Park and Theater opened for the 1912 season on Sunday, April 28, 1912.[1] The opening featured a free circus, outdoor acts, band and orchestra concerts, drum and trumpet corps, and double balloon ascensions with double parachute leaps.[2][3] Since it rained on opening day, the same program was held the following week.[4]
There were plans for the City of Columbus to annex the park, but there was pushback by some parkgoers.[5] In the area damaged by the 1911 fire, open-air vaudeville and outdoor acts were performed.[1]
Notable Events
The dancing style and trend called the "Grizzly Bear" was banned within a day of the park's opening by park manager W. J. Dusenbury, who assigned police officers to enforce the ban.[6]
Rides and Attractions
List of Rides and Attractions
- Band Shell
- Bathing Pavilion
- Boathouse
- Bowling alleys
- Carousel
- Children's Playground
- Circle Swing
- Colonnade
- Dancing Pavilion
- Double Whirl
- Electric Autos
- Ferris Wheel
- Figure Eight Toboggan
- Floral Conservatory & Greenhouse
- Japanese Village and Garden
- Loop-the-Loop
- Merry-Go-Round (1)
- Merry-Go-Round (3)
- Millrace and Fish Pond
- Miniature Railway
- Motion Picture Exhibit
- Museum of Ornithology
- Ocean Wave
- Palm Garden
- Pony and Camel Track
- Scenic Coaster
- Shoot-the-Chutes
- Shooting Gallery
- Snake Den
- Swings
- Water Toboggan
- Whirlwind
- Zoological Garden
Theater, Vaudeville, and Stunt Performances
Olentangy Park Theater
Main Article: Olentangy Park Casino and Theater
The theater opened on May 27, 1912.[4]
Acts
Week of April 28
- Fink's Comedy Circus of mules, trained dogs, and ponies
- Aerial Derbys - flying trapeze
- Professor Raub and Captain Thomas Longo - double balloon and double parachute leaps
Week of May 4
- Fink's Comedy Circus of mules, trained dogs, and ponies
- Aerial Derbys - flying trapeze
- Professor Raub and Captain Thomas Longo - double balloon and double parachute leaps
Music
The J. Wylie Powers Band band played free concerts twice a day.[7]
Activities
An ice hockey contest was held at the park in February 1912, featuring a match between the East High Shepherds and the North Side Maroons.[8]
List of Activities
- Baseball
- Bathing
- Billiards
- Boating
- Bowling - All year activity
- Dancing
- Dining and Refreshments
- Football
- Fortune Telling
- General Games
- Ice Hockey
- Picnics
- Pony Rides
- Swimming
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Olentangy Park." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 14, 1912. Page 5.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch, April 25, 1912. Page 14.
- ↑ "Olentangy Park Opening." The Columbus Sunday Dispatch, April 28, 1912. Page 5.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch, April 29, 1912. Page 12.
- ↑ "To the Editor of the Dispatch: As To Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch, March 21, 1912. Page 4.
- ↑ "No More Grizzly Bear at Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch, April 29, 1912. Page 5.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Olentangy Park." Columbus Evening Dispatch, April 22, 1912. Page 12.
- ↑ "Ice Hockey Contest." Columbus Evening Dispatch, February 9, 1912. Page 15.